Describes a study of 301 undergraduates which was designed to determine their motives for watching soap operas. Responses to a questionnaire were analyzed to determine perceived gratifications and consequences of viewing. Convergence of motives was studied, and the diversity of motives and resultant implications for subgroup analyses were also…

Citation analysis of a systematic sample of 27 historical and historiographic articles was used to study the citation patterns of secondary sources in the history of technology. These patterns are compared with previous citation studies in history and other humanities areas and with multi-disciplinary citation studies in the social sciences.…

The measured effects of captioned television upon the sight vocabulary, comprehension, and oral reading performance of 77 learning disabled students from 4 Maryland schools suggest that both captioned television with sound and conventional television enhance the reading skills of learning disabled students. (7 references) (MLF)

The number of foreign professionals (including college students) who have entered the United States with nonimmigrant status but who have their visas adjusted to immigrant status is steadily increasing. This study explores the relationship between the frequency of such adjustments and changes in immigration policy. (PGD)

Attempts to distill a growing technical literature on repeated-measures analysis of variance into a few simple principles for selecting an analytic technique. Argues that researchers ought not opt for a general analysis strategy when current computer technology makes it possible to select the optimal analysis technique for a given data set. (RH)

The factor structure of the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) was examined with 383 individuals (aged 5-22 years) with autism spectrum disorders. A five-factor model accounted for 80% of the total variance. However, no support was found for classifying the checklist's 57 items into the previously proposed five subscales. (Contains references.)…

Utilizes a sample of 592 Black mothers with children to examine the relationship between perceived economic, household maintenance, and parental role strain and the presence of traditional support networks. Findings indicate that women who were older, had a higher income, and considered their partners to be supportive reported the least economic…

This article describes soft modeling with partial least squares in a nontechnical manner and suggests its greater use in special education research. This approach allows model building and evaluation in situations with high complexity but without well-articulated theories. (DB)

Contrasts modeling methods in control theory to the methods of statistical generalizations in empirical studies of human or animal behavior. Presents a computer simulation that predicts behavior based on variables (effort and rewards) determined by the invariable (desired reward). Argues that control theory methods better reflect relationships to…

This commentary on EC 603 695 argues that significance testing is a necessary but insufficient condition for positivistic research, that judgment-based assessment and single-subject research are not substitutes for significance testing, and that sampling fluctuation should be considered as one of numerous epistemological concerns in any…

Using data from an individually administered interview schedule (the Consumer Satisfaction Inventory), reliability among nine interviewers was estimated with several statistical methods, including simple percentages of agreement, kappa and weighted kappa, Pearson correlations, t tests on interviewers' means, and generalizability theory techniques.…

Speech samples of 79 dysarthric patients were judged for voice quality, articulation, nasality, and prosody as well as overall intelligibility. Application of a multiple regression model found that intelligibility can be expressed as a linear combination of weighted perceptual dimensions with articulation as the strongest contributor to…

This paper reviews criticism on misinterpretation and overuse of significance testing in the social sciences and examines use of effect size measures to enhance interpretation of significance testing. Review of typical effect size measures and their application is followed by analysis of use of effect size measures in studies reported over 10…

This paper identifies major errors and myths perpetuated by educational research textbooks. The most pervasive errors and myths advanced by methodology textbooks at the following eight phases of the educational research process are described: (a) formulating a research problem/objective; (b) reviewing the literature; (c) developing the research…

Written and spoken language contains inherent mechanisms driving motivation. Accessing and modifying psycholinguistic mechanisms, links language frames to changes in behavior within the context of motivational profiling. For example, holding an object like an imported apple feels safe until one is informed it was grown in a toxic waste dump.…